Game apparatus



A. DUNHILL.

GAME APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 28, 1920.

1 431 879 Patented Oct. 111 1922.

Patented Got. 10, 1922.

ALFRED DUNHILL, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

GAME APPARATUS.

Application filed September 28, 1920. Serial No. 413,396.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it'known that I, ALFRED DUNHILL, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to game apparatus and refers to that type of such apparatus in which moving figures or objects representing, for instance, horses, boats, tanks or the like are provided, drawn by means of cords under the control of the players, in order to constitute a race game.

My present invention is designed to provide an improvided apparatus of the class in question, enabling considerable scope to be obtained for the skill and dexterityfiof the players.

According to the general form of carrying out the invention I provide a rod or spindle suitably supported in standards or bearings at appropriate distances and adapted to be rotated by means of a handle, motor or other suitable device. 7 3

The spindle is provided at appropriate intervals with means for attaching a cord, one for each model and player. v

I further provide for each player, a guide, which may be pivotally mounted, so that it has scope for a limited lateral movement and which is adapted to guide or control the cord as it rolls or winds upon the spindle, the object of each player being to so control his cord that the thickness ofthe roll or coil formed on the spindle increases with the maximum rapidity, thus causing his model to be drawn in more rapidly than those of the other players, thus winning the game.

In one particular method ofcarrying out my invention I provide a box like fitting of suitable length and shape to be rested or supported at the edge of the table. The spindle is mounted in this box or casing,

being supported by means of bearings atthe end and by intermediate bearings where its length renders this desirable. The spindle is provided at appropriate distances apart, with eyelets and a cord is knotted into eaeh eye, or any other suitablemethod of attachment may be provided of a kind ensurlng that the cord will be drawn in, as the spindle is rotated.

The model to be moved is attached to the free end of the cord in the ordinary way. Mounted opposite to each of the cords upon a suitable pivot or standard is a wire or like device provided at one end with an operating ring or handle and prolonged at the other end into a loop eye or its equivalent adapted to engage the cord at some little distance in front of the spindle.

In this way, as previously stated, each player can exercise his skill in endeavouring to make the cord as far as possible roll or coil upon itself, thus forming a coil of minimum width and maximum diameter.

The handle of the spindle may be operated by a participating player, an independent player or by means of a motor.

In order that the invention may be readily understood reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. l is a perspective view of the appara tus.

Fig. 2 isa partsectional view, to an enlarged scale, of the guiding means for the cord or line connected to the model and,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, showing one method of rotating the spindle on which the cords or the like are wound.

The apparatus comprises a box or casing a of suitable shape and size, the top of which has hinged thereto a lid or cover Z) whilst one of the sides 0 is preferably hinged to the base of the box, as shown in Fig. 1. Suitable means are provided for retaining the lid. 6 and the hinged side 0 in their closed position;

Extending longitudinally within the box is a spindle or shaft drotatable in suitable bearings in the end walls 6, c of the box and also preferably in the division walls or partitions f of the box. The spindle (Z is provided at appropriate distances apart with eyelets or the like (Z into each of which a cord or the like 9 isknotted so as to be wound or coiled thereon when the spindle is rotat- To the opposite end of the cord is attached a model which may be made to represent a horse, as at h or any other device.

Oneend of the spindle (Z is provided with a cross pin (Z with which a cranked handle 71'! is engaged.

The rear wall (1. of the box or casing 18 preferably provided with recesses c at its top edge in which are pivotally mounted a guiding device, consisting of a rod or bar m having thereon, intermediate its ends a pin m which engages a corresponding hole a". One end of the bar m is shaped in any suitable manner to constitute a handle whilst the opposite end is formed with or has attached thereto a loop, or eye piece a engagmg the cord at a point 1n front ot the spindle (Z. The recesses a? are located at a point diameter of the coil to be correspondlngly increased and resulting in'the model noving towards thespindle at a greater speed.

Inthe construction shown in the drawings, the lid or cover Iris adapted to be fired ina position inwhich it extends below the'lower or bottom edgeof tastes; so'asto'enable the whole" apparatus tojbe easily retained in positionagainst the edge of the table, or other surface 0. g

The operation will l'ie readily understood. The box or casing placed in positio'n as shoii n in Fig. 1 a'ndthe model or each player is moved outwardly to its maximum extent; Thespiiidle (Z'is now rotated either'b'y one of the players or by an independent person or if desired by maim ie'aier other means. Each player manipulates the guiding device ofhis model,so as to cause the cord or the like to wind onto the spindle, thus increasing the diameter of the coil and increasethc speed of travel'of the model,

Vhen not in use the 'guidiiig" deviees m and the models 7i together, witli the handle I: may be enclosed in the box and the latter closed in the usual manner.

In some cases a separate device may be provided, one for each player, the spindle being mounted upon a box orupon suitable standards on a base plate, standing on or attached tothe edge of the table,.the' player operating the spindle by means of ahandle with one hand,,,\\ hilst he manipulates the pivoted guide for his-cord with the other hand. p

In some instances, where the spindle is mountedina box or casing, such box or casing may be provided with a hinged or loose cover which calrhe turned back or otherwise placed so that it comes under the body of the box, and a. flange or projectioii may be prm'ided constituting part of the box, when closed, and adapted when the bok is opened torest against the edge of the table to prevent the box moving.

In all cases where found desirable screw, spring or other clamps or appropriate means may be furnished for steadying'the devices or iolding thenii in position v t will be understood that the particular method of carrying out the invention may he varied"considerably without departing from the )rinciple thereof.

ii lat I claim and desire to secure by Lettors Patent of the United States of America is 1. Game apparatus of the type described comprising a box, arotatable spindle journaled thereon, a plurality of cords attached at oneend at spac'ed'intervals apart to said spindle and each attached at the other ent. to amodel, means for rotating said spindle, guiding devices for each ofsaid cords, comprising" pivotedbars, one end of each bar engagilig one of said cords, adjacent said spindle, and the opposite end constituting a ha iidle for manip u lati on, I

2. Game apparatus. of the type described comprising a boii having a 1T1(H'Ell3l lid and a movableuiall, a spindle: supported forrotation iii said box, means for rotating said spindle, spaced eyelets on said spindle, cords attacl'ied to each of saideyejlets, models'attached to theendsof said cords, guiding means for each of said cords, each of said guldlngi means consisting of a bar pivoted intermediate its ends, one end having means for engaging the cord adjacent said spindle while the other end constitutes a handle, and means for limiting the movement of each of said bars about its pivot,

3. Game apparatus comprising a box, having a hinged lid adapted to be turnedto a' positi on to locate the box against theedgeof a playmgsurface, means for securing said lid in the open'position, a'spindle supported for rotation in said box, cords attached to said spindle at spaced intervals apart, models attached to the ends oit'said cords, guiding means for each oi said cords; said guiding means consisting of pivotalbars each hating a handle at one end and adapted to engige the cord at the otherend, and means ijoi' limiting the movement oi said bars. e

4. Game apparatus coii'iprising a box having a movable lid, a spindle mounted for rotation in said box, a series of cords attached to'a model at one end, the points of connection: to said spindle being located at spaced intervals apart, the said box being provided with slots in the adjacent wall' 0 f said. box, opposite to the points ot attach ment 0.1 each of said] cords to' said spindle, a

bar pivotally mounted'in each of said slots so as to have limited movei'nent therein; means one end of said bars for connectiontothe adjacent cord, and handles at the opposite ends of said bars, substantially as and for tlie'puipqsesset forth.

Intestimony whereof, I afli'x my signature,

ALFRED DUNHI'LL. 

